States Sign Pact On Troubled Children

Associated Press

A dozen Florida and Georgia border counties have signed an agreement making it easier for children removed from parents or guardians to be placed with relatives in the other state.

The Florida Department of Children and Families and Georgia Department of Human Services announced the agreement Wednesday. An existing compact adopted by all 50 states requires a lengthy process to relocate foster children to another state.

The agreement among the 12 counties is expected to allow for such placements in as little as a week. It applies only to children removed because of abuse or neglect.